BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Here in the Rio Grande Valley we may not be expecting a hurricane this weekend. However, now is a good time to review your plans and insurance policy. The National Weather Service says the season is far from over.
Anywhere from 10 to 17 named storms are predicted this 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. However it only takes one storm to cause a devastating impact in your community. Today we speak with experts who say now is the time to prepare.
Barry Goldsmith, National Weather Service, “If all things are normal, why are we worried about September? Well the forecast is now 10 to 17 named storms. We’ve only had 5. The bulk of those typically occur in September and here we are. This is a time to look at those preparedness activities and really ramp them up.
Their advice, consider having a home insurance policy to protect your home from floods even if you live in an area not prone to flooding.
Mark Hanna, Insurance Council of Texas, “It doesn’t take a hurricane to cause a flood. All you need is a severe thunderstorm that can stall over your area and dump several inches of rainfall. This area has seen it twice in the last two years.
Cliff Barros – Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, “The best thing you can do is have a fortified roof. A fortified roof is going to do three things. We’re going to lock down the edges. There is a piece of metal that goes around the outside of every house. And that’s going to keep that first layer of shingles down. If that one goes, they overlap, so then the next one goes and the next one goes.
According to the National Weather Service, an easier way to remember where we’re at in this hurricane season, is to think about it like a football season. We’re no longer in the pre-season, we’re closer to the playoffs. So now is a good time to remember and review your plans in the event you have to execute them.
Peak hurricane season starts on September 10th. Some of the more notable storms to affect the Rio Grande Valley in September include Tropical Storm Hermine, Hurricane Beulah and the Labor Day storm of 1933.
